Anoka-Hennepin High Schools Move 2026 Graduations to U.S. Bank Stadium

The Anoka-Hennepin School District has announced that commencement ceremonies for Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park, and Coon Rapids high schools in 2026 will be held at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis, marking a significant shift from a long standing graduation tradition.

Families were notified of the venue change on December 11, following a policy decision by the University of Minnesota to discontinue hosting high school graduation ceremonies beginning in the spring of 2026. For more than a decade, Anoka-Hennepin’s ceremonies have been held off campus at the University of Minnesota’s 3M Arena at Mariucci, with Blaine High School joining the group of schools using the arena approximately four years ago.

In late October 2025, the University of Minnesota informed area school districts that it would no longer rent campus facilities for high school commencements. University officials cited the logistical and public safety challenges of hosting more than 20 large outside events with thousands of attendees over a condensed two week period at the end of the academic year, calling the demand on staffing, security, and operations no longer sustainable.

The decision affected roughly two dozen high schools across the Twin Cities metro area and came relatively late in the planning cycle for spring 2026 ceremonies. The timing created an immediate challenge for Anoka-Hennepin, the largest school district in Minnesota, as well as other districts that had relied on the university’s facilities for years.

After exploring several off campus options capable of accommodating large graduating classes and their guests in a covered setting, the district selected U.S. Bank Stadium. The stadium, located at 401 Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, offers seating capacity, accessibility, and climate controlled conditions that meet the scale of the district’s ceremonies.

The move, however, comes with notable cost implications. Rental costs for four ceremonies at U.S. Bank Stadium are expected to exceed 100,000 dollars, nearly double the approximately 55,000 dollars previously spent to host the same ceremonies at Mariucci Arena. District officials have acknowledged the increased expense as a necessary tradeoff given the limited availability of large venues and the importance of providing a reliable graduation experience for students and families.

Additional details regarding ceremony schedules, arrival times, parking and transit options, seating arrangements, and security procedures will be shared directly with families as planning continues. U.S. Bank Stadium enforces standard entry screening and clear bag policies, which attendees should anticipate for commencement events.

While the venue change represents a departure from a familiar setting, district leaders have emphasized their commitment to ensuring that the Class of 2026 is celebrated in a safe, accessible, and memorable environment despite the challenges created by the university’s policy shift.

MinneapoliMedia